Problems · by component

2010 Kia Forte air bags problems

42 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Kia Forte cite air bags, 18% of all 232 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
42
18% of all complaints
Crashes
17
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“On August 22nd 2025 my daughter was driving this vehicle and was in a car accident and her front air bags did not deploy. Her passenger side airbags deployed with no passenger but nothing in the front and it was a front collision. Upon receipt of the Paperwork from Copart we learned there was an active recall from 2018 for the front airbags possibly not deploying and resulting in injury during a collision, which is what happened. Her knee and ribs were injured from hitting the steering wheel. The car was declared a total loss from insurance.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11689708
“Air bag light turned on June 2025. Could not be reset. Had local shop read the code. Driver's side air bag, likely clock spring. Brought it to the dealership after a month wait for appointment. It was confirmed that it was the Clock Spring and replaced. This is not a wear part. Research shows a very common issue with other kia and hyundai makes and models of a similar age that were actively recalled.. Kia declined and will not reimburse due to not having a recall for my specific make, model, and year.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2025Air bagsODI 11679089
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while stopped at the traffic light, a tractor-trailer crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained back pain. No medical attention was required. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was still drivable at the scene. Prior to the crash, the dealer was contacted on several occasions to schedule an appointment for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V363000 (Air Bags); however, the dealer would reschedule each appointment attempt. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,100.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11668959
“Airbag light will not turn off after 6 seconds. Stays on even when driving. Cruise control turns on sporadically when trying to turn off, it will not respond stays on. Car will be inspected on 10/03/2023 by Earnhardt Peoria KIA Peoria Az.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2023Air bags, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11547120
“In June 2021 my air bag light came on. Called the dealership to have them check it out. Said they would get back with me to have it checked. 2-3 days later I was driving and hit a pothole air bags deployed while driving busted windshield driver and passenger side airbags deployed. Busted windshield and broke both seatbelts cannot pull out or be safe driving it Kia of America.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 11, 2021Air bagsODI 11440099
“THE 2010 KIA WAS TRAVELING ON A RURAL STATE HIGHWAY WITH AT A SPEED THAT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED YET. WHEN COMING OVER A HILL THE CAR LEAVES THE RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD WAY, THE DRIVER OVER CORRECTS SPINNING THE CAR, IT TRAVELS 180-200'FEET BACKWARDS, LEAVES THE ROAD WAY SND SIDE IMPACT A TREE. MY 14'YEAR OLD WAS WEARING A SAFETY DEVICE AT THE TIME SHE WAS ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHICH IS WHERE THE IMPACT OCCURRED SHE WAS FOUND . SHE WAS PRONOUNED AT THE SCENE . SHE WAS FOUND STILL IN THE SAFETY DEVICE HER BOTTOM HALF WAS SOMEWHAT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT UNDER THE DASH AND HER TOP HALF STILL BUCKLED IN WAS FOUND OVER INTO THE DRIVER SEAT/FLOORBOARD. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL CONCERNING THE SEATBELTS ON THIS PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER THE CRASH IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION HOWEVER I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN ANY INFORMATION ON WHETHER HER SEATBELT ACTUALLY LOCKED AS IT SHOULD HAVE AS I STATED SHE WAS STILL BUCKLED IN WHEN I FOUND HER THEY CUT THE SEATBELT OFF OF HER BUT I THINK THAT'S JUST A STANDARD PRACTICE I WILL BE RECEIVING CRASH REPORTS HOWEVER THOSE ARE NOT FINISHED YET.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 19, 2021Air bags, Seats, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11388774

Showing 6 of 42 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

Air bagsReported Jun 1, 2018NHTSA 18V363000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2010 Forte problem areas